The Easiest Way to Get Access to Google Business Profiles

In a world where everything seems to be online first, a GBP is more than a listing—it’s your first impression. A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a business’s digital storefront on Google. It’s a free tool that allows your clients to manage how their business appears across Google Search and Maps. 🌐

From business hours to customer reviews, a GBP is often the first impression potential customers get—and in the world of local SEO, first impressions are everything.

Here’s the kicker: For many agencies, getting access to their client’s Google Business Profile (GBP)—a task that should take 10 minutes tops—can drag on for weeks, even months, ultimately losing them their clients.

But there’s a ridiculously simple way to gain access—and it’s often overlooked.
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In this blog, we’ll discuss the challenges agencies and permission levels face when trying to access their clients' Google Business Profiles and a simple feature our team here at Merchynt has created to make it all a breeze.

Let’s get started!

Why Do Agencies Struggle to Access Google Business Profiles (GBPs)?

Accessing a client’s Google Business Profile (GBP) should be a quick, straightforward process. Yet, for many agencies, it’s anything but. What should take 10 minutes often spirals into weeks—or even months—of frustration.

Here are some of the struggles, agencies likely face when trying to gain access.

1. Clients Don’t Know Who Owns the Profile: Many businesses don’t remember who set up their GBP, as a result, ownership often gets lost in the shuffle between old employees or past agencies.
2. Unresponsive Profile Owners: The current owner may be unreachable or simply unaware of how to grant access. This is especially common with inactive email accounts or owners who’ve left the business.
3. Confusion Around Permissions: Many clients don’t understand the difference between an Owner and a Manager. As such, clients often hesitate to share full access, unsure of the implications. Similarly, agencies frequently face pushback over what role to request—owner or manager.
4. Google’s Verification Process: If ownership is disputed or unclear, Google requires a verification process that can take weeks. Agencies often have to guide clients through these steps, adding to the delay.
5. Manual Errors in Invitations: Clients may send invites to the wrong email or fail to complete the invitation process, which results in unnecessary delays and multiple follow-ups.
6. Inadequate Onboarding Processes: Agencies sometimes don’t address GBP access early enough in their client onboarding. By the time it becomes a priority, the lack of access creates bottlenecks for campaigns which causes client frustration and churn.

The Impact of These Struggles

When agencies can’t access a client’s GBP:
🚧 Campaigns are delayed.
🚧 Profile optimization, review responses, and local SEO efforts are stalled.
🚧 The agency’s ability to deliver results is compromised, impacting client trust.
🚧 Clients churn fast.

Understanding the Roles for Google Business Profile Access

Managing a Google Business Profile (GBP) effectively starts with understanding the different roles and their permissions. Each role ensures the right people have the right level of access while keeping your profile secure.

Here’s a breakdown:

1. Owner: The primary decision-maker for the profile can manage all aspects, including adding or removing other users and transferring ownership. There can only be one Primary Owner at a time.
   Best for: Business owners or key decision-makers who need full control.
2. Manager: Has access to most features including updating business information, responding to reviews, and managing posts or photos. Users cannot add or remove other users or make significant ownership changes.
   Best for: Marketing teams or employees tasked with day-to-day profile updates.

Why Proper Permissions Matter

Granting appropriate access is crucial for:
✅ Data Security: Ensuring sensitive business information isn’t mishandled.
✅ Seamless Updates: Allowing teams to keep profiles accurate without unnecessary hurdles.
✅ Smooth Collaboration: Preventing miscommunication and delays in campaign execution.

The GBP Invite Link: A Game-Changer

The GBP Invite Link developed by our team at Merchynt simplifies the access process, especially for agencies managing multiple profiles. Here’s how to use it:

Simply send the link to the client you want access to their GBP profile. All they need to do is click the link you text or email to them, which will take them to a page asking them to invite you.

For instance, if your name is Mike and you are managing a Google Business Profile, you can use your name or the name of your agency—whichever your client will recognize. Your client will then click "Continue with Google" and log in using the Google account that manages or owns their profile.

Once logged in, they will see a prompt asking which Google Business Profile they want to share with you. All they need to do is select the profile and click "Invite." After that, Google will send you an email stating that your client is inviting you to manage their Google Business Profile. You simply need to hit "Accept," and your client will receive a notification that you have accepted the invitation.

Accessing this link is extremely easy!

To begin, all you need to do is join the Merchynt Partner Program. 

The Merchynt Agency Partner Program offers a range of tools and perks designed to help you run, grow, and scale your marketing agency specializing in local SEO or Google Business Profile management.

This includes the GMB invite link just mentioned, along with 10,000+ leads each month, special pricing on all software, and access to a tool that allows your leads to conduct their own AI-powered Google Business Profile audit, helping you secure more leads. There are many other perks as well.

If you want to learn more about this, simply click here to get started.

Benefits of Using the GBP Invite Link

🚀 Fast-Track Access: No back-and-forth emails; just a quick link.
🔒 Secure Collaboration: Clients control who gets access and at what level.
🤝 Streamlined Onboarding: Reduces client confusion and speeds up workflows.

For agencies, managing GBPs doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By addressing common challenges, securing proper permissions, and using tools like the GBP Invite Link, you can save time, reduce stress, and enhance client satisfaction.

💡 Bonus Tip: Educate your clients on the importance of regularly reviewing their GBP permissions to ensure access stays current and secure.